Firewood container

ABSTRACT

A firewood storage device for made of a container having a plurality of panels, wherein at least one said panel having an edge being capable of removably affixing to an edge of at least one other said panel, and at least one said panel having a vent.

This is a non-provisional application of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/501,936 filed Sep. 11, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of firewood storage containers,specifically containers that allow firewood to dry, eliminates insectinfestation of buildings, collects any firewood debris, and helps reducewood mold and subsequent allergic reactions to wood mold when firewoodis brought into the house.

2. Description of the Related Art

Storage of wood for use in wood burning fireplace units requires a dryarea protected from rain/snow and further infestation of insects andanimals. While wood is being dried outdoors it is exposed to theelements causing it to become damp and degrade in overall burningability. Currently there are several types of plastic/canvas tarps onthe market. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,491,958 and 5,699,646 disclose log storagecovers made of pervious plastic material, which restricts sunlight, windand rain and permits adequate ventilation. However, in the inventorsexperience, these actually tend to help retain moisture, which promotesthe growth of wood mold and mildew which when the wood is taken indoorsoften adds to allergy symptoms in many people. This type of coveringalso tends to tear and rot away within a short period of time.Additionally, the covers do not substantially envelope the woodcontained therein, thereby permitting insects to enter and exit thewood. These covers are therefore not suitable for firewood storageoutside a home or structure, inside a garage, a basement or otherstorage area convenient to the user.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

It is therefore an object of the invention to design a firewood storagecontainer capable of withstanding years of continuous outdoor exposure.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat does not freeze, crack, or become unusable in inclement weather,and is easy to use in inclement weather.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat is capable of accommodating vertical and/or horizontal supports ofa firewood rack.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat permits ease of access to the firewood by a user.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat prevents debris, ice, and snow from contacting any fastening meansof the container/bag.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat facilitates air flow in the container.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat promotes drying of the firewood.

It is an object of the invention to design a firewood storage containerthat allows for drainage of any moisture which may enter thecontainer/bag.

It is also an object of the invention to prevent insects, which may becontained in the firewood, to escape from or enter the container.

It is an object of the invention to provide a firewood storage containerthat permits firewood storage next to a house, or building, withoutconcern of possible infestation of the structure by any insects that maybe in the firewood.

It is an object of the invention to provide a firewood storage containerthat permits firewood storage outside a home or structure, inside agarage, a basement or other storage area convenient to the user.

It is an object of the invention to provide a firewood storage containerthat collects firewood debris and thereby eliminates the need to sweepor rake up debris.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the detailed description annexed toand forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of theinvention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained byits uses, reference should be had to the accompanying descriptive matterin which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a firewood storage cover which is designed towithstand years of continuous outdoor exposure. The firewood cover is aheavy duty firewood storage cover which allows the wood to continuedrying over time, eliminates potential insect infestation of buildings,contains any wood debris, and helps reduce allergic reactions to woodmold when firewood is brought into the house.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the preferred embodiment in a closed state.

FIG. 2 is an exploded frontal view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the preferred embodiment in an open state.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the preferred embodiment illustrating use inconjunction with a wood frame 30.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment illustrating theframe 30 encompassed within the container 10.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of container 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiments in differentforms, there will be described in detail, specific embodiments with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intendedto limit the invention to that which is described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of the preferred embodiment in aclosed state. As shown in FIG. 1, container 10 is a generallyrectangular bag that is capable of storing firewood logs therein.Container 10 is preferably made of heavy duty fabric, preferablySunbrella® fabric, manufactured by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC, GlenRaven, N.C.; however any fabric exhibiting similar qualities may beutilized. Any fabric is preferably an air pervious woven polypropyleneor polyethylene fabric. The fabric also preferably permits heat transferand is mildew resistant. The invention has been tested over an eightyear period and has proved to be extremely durable, weather resistantand has proven to facilitate the drying of firewood.

Container 10 is preferably constructed of a single piece of fabricsubdivided into panels. Container 10 is exploded in FIG. 2 andillustrates panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. In the preferredembodiment, first panel 11 contacts fifth panel 15 at first crease A.Similarly, fifth panel 15 contacts third panel 13 at second crease B,third panel 13 contacts second panel 12 at third crease C, fifth panel15 contacts second panel 12 at fourth crease D, fourth panel 14 contactssecond panel 12 at fifth crease E, sixth panel 16 contacts second panel12 at fourth crease F, and fifth panel 15 contacts fourth panel 14 atseventh crease G. Creases A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are preferably createdby hemming or stitching, and which thereby created a crease by which therespective panels may fold thereupon.

As shown in FIGS. 2, first panel 11 has a first edge 40, third edge 42,and fifth edge 44. Also shown in FIG. 2, sixth panel 16 has second edge41, tenth edge 49, and eight edge 47. Additionally, third panel 13 has afourth edge 43 and seventh edge 46, and fourth panel 14 has a sixth edge45 and ninth edge 48. As shown in FIG. 3, third edge 42 removablyattaches to fourth edge 43. Similarly, fifth edge 44 removably attachesto sixth edge 45, seventh edge 46 removably attaches to eight edge 47,ninth edge 48 removably attaches to tenth edge 49, and first edge 40removably attaches to second edge 42.

The respective edges removably attach to one another by fastening means.In the preferred embodiment, the fastening means are interlockingfastening devices, such as a zipper, however hook and loop fasteners,snaps or other fastening means that removably affix the respective edgesmay be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, fastening means 33 a is placed along third edge 42and removably attaches to fastening means 33 b, which is placed alongfourth edge 43. Similarly, fastening means 32 a is placed along eightedge 47 and removably attaches to fastening means 32 b, which is placedalong seventh edge 46. Additionally, fastening means 34 a is placedalong fifth edge 44 and removably attaches to fastening means 34 b,which is placed along sixth edge 45. Finally, fastening means 31 a isplaced along first edge 40 and removably attaches to fastening means 31b, which is placed along second edge 42.

In order to protect the fastening means from ice and snow buildup, thepreferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a first flap17, a second flap 18, and a third flap 19. In the preferred embodiment,third edge 42 is a crease that divides second flap 18 from first flap11, and fifth edge 44 is a crease that divides third flap from firstpanel 11. Additionally, first flap 17 is divided from sixth panel 16 bya crease generally defined by eight edge 47, second edge 41, and tenthedge 49. The creases are formed in a similar manner as described above.This allows the flaps 17, 18 and 19 to fold over the respectivefastening means, thereby creating a barrier against ice and snowbuildup.

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and2, flap 18 is removably affixed to panel 13, flap 19 is removablyaffixed to panel 14, and flap 17 is removably affixed to panels 11, 13,and 14, as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, flaps 17, 18 and 19 areremovably affixed to the panels 11, 13 and 14 by hook and loopfasteners, although any removable affixing means may be utilized.

In FIG. 3, container 10 is shown in an open state revealing firewood 20contained therein. In the open state, panel 11 is no longer affixed topanels 13, 14 and 16. Additionally, in the open state, flaps 17, 18 and19 are no longer affixed to panels 11, 13 and 14. The open state allowsthe firewood 20 to be easily accessed by a user.

As shown in FIG. 1, container 10 is in a closed state containingfirewood therein. In the closed state, panel 11 is removably affixed topanels 13 (not shown in FIG. 1), 14 and 16. As well, in the closedstate, flaps 17, 18 and 19 (not shown in FIG. 1) are removably affixedto panels 11, 13 (not shown in FIG. 1) and 14.

In the closed state, insects which may be contained in the firewood areprevented from escaping the container 10. Thus, firewood storage ispermitted next to a house, or building, without concern of possibleinfestation of the structure by any insects that may be in the firewood.Additionally, the container 10 collects firewood debris and therebyeliminates the need to sweep or rake up debris.

In the closed state, the container 10 facilitates air flow to promotedrying of the firewood. Additionally, the container 10 allows fordrainage of any moisture which may enter the container 10. In additionto the type of fabric used to construct container 10, as describedabove, both of these features are aided and accomplished by the use ofpanel vents placed therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates first panel vents 21 placed within the first panel 11and fourth panel vent 24 placed within the fourth panel 14. FIG. 2better illustrates the placement of panel vents 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25along first panel 11, second panel 12, third panel 13, fourth panel 14,fifth panel 15, respectively. The vents 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 permitincreased air flow throughout the container 10, which decreases thedrying time of the firewood 20 contained therein. The vents 21, 22, 23,24, and 25 are preferably airlette® “Stick on” Vents™ manufactured byAirlette® Manufacturing Corporation, Lantana, Fla.; however any meshscreens, made of either metal or plastic, or other suitable material andwhich prevents insects from entering or exiting the container 10, andwhich still permitting increased air flow may be used. The vents 21, 22,23, 24, and 25 are preferably placed over preexisting holes within thepanels and affixed to the panels by adhesive; however any fasteningmeans such as crimping or stitching may be used so long as a seal iscreated. Additionally, the vents 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, most notablyvents 25, allow any condensation or moisture contained within thecontainer 10 to drain.

One added feature of the container 10 is it may be used in conjunctionwith a preexisting wood or metallic firewood frame 30. As shown in FIG.4, the container 10 contains loops 26, 27, 28 and 29 that affix to theframe 30. This permits the container 10 to be affixed in an upright andstationary position while in an open state in order to load firewood 20into the container 10. Loops 26, 27, 28 and 29 are preferably made ofthe same material as the container 10; however, any such durable weatherresistant fabric may be used.

The container 10 is not intended to be limited in any dimension. Howeverthe preferred container 10 is constructed in dimensions to containgenerally a face cord of firewood. Therefore the dimensions of thepreferred embodiment measure 96 inches×48 inches×14 inches. Accordingly,panels 15 and 16 are preferably 96 inches in length by 14 inches inwidth, panels 11 and 12 are preferably 96 inches in length by 48 inchesin height, and panels 13 and 14 are preferably 48 inches in height and14 inches in length. However, the preferred embodiment is not intendedto be limiting as the preferred embodiment.

The container 10 can be sized to fit various frames 30. As shown in FIG.4, the frame 30 is placed exterior to the container 10, where the loops26, 27, 28, and 29 are attached to the frame 30. Alternatively, thecontainer 10 is sized to encompass the frame 30 therein. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, container 10 is constructedto encompass the frame 30, but as shown in FIG. 5, panel 15 ofalternative container 10 has openings 50, 51, 52, and 53 which permitthe legs of frame 30 to pass through the container 10. Thus when thecontainer 10 is in a closed state, the frame 30 as well as wood 20 iscontained therein.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the container 10, as shown inFIG. 6 is constructed of the same materials and in the same manner asthe preferred embodiment explained above, however panel 15 is removed.This alternative embodiment is suitably used where insect and animalinfestation is not problematic. Panel 11 is removably affixed to panels13 and 14 in a manner as described above. In this alternativeembodiment, panel 16 is fixedly attached to panels 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Hence, while the invention has been described in connection with apreferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended thatthe invention be limited to that embodiment. On the contrary, it isintended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, sameshould be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no furtherdiscussion relevant to the manner of usage and operation of the instantinvention shall be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum proportions for the elements of the invention, andvariations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner ofoperation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious toone skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships described inthe specification are intended to be encompassed by the presentinvention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered illustrative of only theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact method, construction andoperation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within thescope of the invention.

1. A firewood storage device, comprising: a. a container, said containerhaving a plurality of panels; b. at least one said panel having an edgebeing capable of removably affixing to an edge of at least one othersaid panel; and c. at least one said panel having a vent.
 2. The deviceof claim 1 wherein at least one said panel being constructed of an airpervious fabric.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one saidpanel being constructed of an air non-pervious fabric.
 4. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the vent being an airlette® “Stick on” Vents™.
 5. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein the air pervious fabric being Sunbrella®fabric.
 6. A firewood storage device, comprising: a. a container, saidcontainer having a plurality of panels; b. a means for removablyaffixing at least one said panel to another said panel; and c. at leastone said panel having a vent.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein at leastone said panel being constructed of an air pervious fabric.
 8. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein at least one said panel being constructed ofan air non-pervious fabric.
 9. The device of claim 6 wherein the ventbeing an airlette® “Stick on” Vents™.
 10. The device of claim 8 whereinthe air pervious fabric being Sunbrella® fabric.
 11. The device of claim6 wherein the means for removably affixing at least one panel to anothercomprises an interlocking fastening device.
 12. The device of claim 6further comprising a means for protecting the means for removablyaffixing at least one said panel to another said panel fromaccumulations of ice or snow.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein themeans for protecting comprises a flap.
 14. A firewood storage device,comprising: a. a container, said container having a plurality of panels;b. at least one said panel having an edge being capable of removablyaffixing to an edge of at least one other said panel; c. a firstremovably affixing means disposed along at least one edge for removablyaffixing to a second removably affixing means disposed along at leastone other edge; e. at least one said panel having a vent.
 15. The deviceof claim 14 wherein the panels being constructed of an air perviousfabric.
 16. The device of claim 14 further comprising a means forprotecting at least one removably affixing means from accumulations ofsnow or ice.
 17. The device of claim 14 wherein the vent being anairlette® “Stick on” Vents™.
 18. The device of claim 15 wherein the airpervious fabric being Sunbrella® fabric.
 19. A firewood storage device,comprising: a. a container, said container having a plurality of panels,the panels being constructed of an air pervious fabric; b. at least onesaid panel having an edge being capable of removably affixing to an edgeof at least one other said panel; c. a first removably affixing meansdisposed along at least one edge for removably affixing to a secondremovably affixing means disposed along at least one other edge; d. ameans for protecting at least one removably affixing means fromaccumulations of snow or ice; and e. at least one said panel having avent.
 21. The device of claim 19 wherein the means for protectingcomprises a flap.
 22. The device of claim 19 wherein the vent being anairlette® “Stick on” Vents™.
 23. The device of claim 19 wherein the airpervious fabric being Sunbrella® fabric.